We all saw this coming. After days of speculation, the Boston Bruins have finally made a significant move, trading Trent Frederic. Here’s how NHL.com’s Edmonton Oilers staff broke it down:
“Trade 1: The Boston Bruins trade Trent Frederic (50% salary retained) to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for unsigned draft pick Petr Hauser.
Trade 2: New Jersey sends Frederic (50% salary retained) to Edmonton in exchange for unsigned draft pick Shane Lachance.
Trade 3: Boston trades Max Jones and unsigned draft pick Petr Hauser to Edmonton for Max Wanner, the St. Louis second-round pick in 2025 (owned by Edmonton), and Edmonton’s own fourth-round pick in 2026.”
Confused? No worries. While it may sound complicated, the important part is that the Bruins didn’t come away empty-handed. They added Max Wanner, plus two valuable draft picks in 2025 and 2026. This move signals the start of the long-anticipated retooling process, especially after a season that fell far short of expectations.
Who is Max Wanner and What Does He Mean for the Bruins?
In return for Frederick, the Bruins received Max Wanner, an AHL-level defenseman with some potential. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 185 lbs, Wanner was a seventh-round pick and is currently in his second full season with the AHL. While his stats may not jump off the page, he’s become a regular in the AHL, appearing in 68 games last season and putting up 17 points.
- Max Wanner
Wanner might not excite some fans, but others, like Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal, have been impressed with his development. If I were the Bruins, I’d be optimistic about Wanner joining the system, though it may take some time before he’s ready for the NHL.
Has the Rebuilding Process Begun?
Trading Frederic and adding Wanner marks the start of the Bruins’ retooling process, and moving players like Frederic and Max Jones is just the beginning.
As of Tuesday, the Bruins were only two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild card spot, though the Wings have two games in hand. They also trail behind the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators.
It’s been a tough year for the Bruins—one that started with a contract holdout from goalie Jeremy Swayman, led to a coaching change, and has been marked by an up-and-down season since.
Despite still being in playoff contention, the bigger question remains: Are the Bruins legitimate contenders for a deep playoff run or even a Stanley Cup? The answer seems clear: no.
Given this, trading Frederic was an easy, expected decision for the Bruins. The current roster might squeeze them into the second wild card spot at best, a huge step down from the Presidents’ Trophy-winning team just two years ago.
Leave a Reply